Reversing-valve for furnaces.



PATENTBD DEG. 12, 1905.

J. H. CLBWER. REVERSING VALVE FOR FURNAGES.

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APPLICATION FILED M WM w n N U UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. CLEWER, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

REVERSlNG-VALVE FOR FURNA-CES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. v12, 1905.

Application filed March 24, 19Q5. Serial No. 251,728.

' lowing is a specification.

My invention relates to that class ofvalves whichv are used for reversing the flow of gas or air from one end to the other end of all furnaces in which gas is used as a fuel for heating or meltingmetals. The objections to the type of valve in present use for this purpose are, first, the warping and cracking of the cast-iron valve and its inclosing box, owing to the variable and high temperatures to which they are subjected, whereby a part of the gas leaks through to the stack, as the draft to the stack is stronger than the pressure of gas to the furnace; second, the valve is exposed to the hot producer-gas on one side and to waste gases on the other side, so that warping and cracking frequently occur, causing delays in replacing the damaged valves with new ones and increasing the cost of repairs.

I have devised a valve for the purpose which will do away with practically all leakage caused by distortion of itself or of the valvechamber and also leakage caused by the deposits of tar and soot.

To this end my invention consists in making the valve in two separate pieces which are loosely fitted together, forming a joint which allows of a certain amount of relative motion between the two parts of the valve.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the exterior of the valve box or chamber, with its foundation, its two hoods, and the conduits connected thereto. Fig. 2 is a central sectional view omitting the foundation and the conduits. Fig. 3 is a face view of the valve, showing the chamber in section.

l is the valve box or chamber, which is usually, so far as I am aware, an iron casting. 2 is a hollow foundation, upon which it rests. The lower vopening b extends through the foundation and communicates with a stack. (Not shown.)` To the upper opening d is connected a trunk 4, which lleads to a gas-pro'- ducer. '(Not shown.) The lateral openings a and c communicate with hoods 5 and 6, to which are connected two conduits 7 and 8. These conduits lead to a furnace. (Not shown.)

Parts 9 of the valve-chamber form bearings for a shaft 10, which supports a cast-iron valve 12. Preferably the central portion of the shaft is squared, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the valve will never fail to throw when the shaft is turned. The shaft is provided with a crank 13, which may be actuated in any preferred manner.

In the drawings the openings c c d are .supposed to be round, and in order to fit them the valve is elliptical in configuration, as shown; but said openings might be made square, in which case the valve would be rectangular in outline.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, I construct the valve in two parts. The larger part 12 is integral from the shaft to one of its ends. About half-way from the shaft to its opposite end the valve is out off on a straight line. Along its edge a groove is cast, as shown, its inner portion describing an arc of more than one hundred and eighty degrees, whereby said groove is adapted to retain a cylindrical extension 14, formed on the smaller portion 15 of the valve. The mouth of said groove is so flared as to permit a suflicient movement of the outer member l5. Y

Normally the Valve is either in the position shown in full lines or in that shown in dotted lines. It is obvious that a solid valve might when new it the walls of the chamber 1 equally well at both ends; but when the valve or the chamber, or both, have become warped or cracked by the heat of the gases the valve would no longer be capable of being tightly seated at both ends and possibly not. at either end; but my jointed valve is not subject to this defect. By reason of its movable joint it adapts itself to distortions of the'box, and both of its ends will fit their seats closely enough to form approximately air-tight and gas-tight joints therewith. The groove might be formed in the smaller valve member and' the projection upon the adjacent edge of the larger member; but the construction shown is preferable.

Though such is not necessary to anunderstanding of my invention, I will state that when the valve is in the position shown in Fig. 2 (in full lines) the producer-gas is supposed to enter the chamber at opening d, pass through opening a into conduit 7 thence through the furnace, and the waste gases return through cond uit 8 and reenter the chamber through opening c, thence through opening into the stack. (N ot shown.)

When the valve is turned to the dotted-line position, the producer-gas enters at d, as be- IOO IIO

A reversing-valve for regenerative furi naces, comprising the shaft 10, the main valve member mounted thereon and having a groove, the complementary valve member having a tongue 14, said tongue being loosely held in said groove, the central portion of the main member being thickened, forming a shoulder 18, and both members being provided with ribs 17.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. CLEWER.

Witnesses:

K. M. IMBODEN, F. KIEFFER. 

